Christmas Cheer

Merry Christmas. I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and New Year!

Things have been a bit hectic in the Harlow household, with tinsel and baubles flying round the house, hurriedly preparing. I stupidly decided to wait to put up my decorations until I had broken up from University so I could get into the festive cheer. 

 The garlands, I made myself last year out of: stray pieces of tinsel, red thread and red tissue paper that came in a shopping bag from an outfit I bought, always recycling! I made templates in paper of gingerbread men, stars and Christmas trees, then used them to cut out shapes in the tissue paper and finally glued them to red cotton thread. Cheap, unique and a fun, relaxing activity.

I love these popup Victorian inspired Christmas cards.

This cute googly eyed Father Christmas was made for me by my crafty thoughtful friend Mariam. This obviously has great sentimental value and as you can see she went to a lot of effort for me.

I have quite a few of these nutcracker decorations, I have loved The Nutcracker ballet ever since I went to see it with school when I was 11, I  recently went to see it again and its truly as magical as I remember.

I  love to decorate my room with beautiful Christmas images, these  two Christmas cards of Wightwick manor and its grounds in the snow are perfect, you can purchase them from the gift shop at Wightwick Manor or online at the National Trust Shop. I have given quite a few of them to my friends but have kept these two to decorate my bookcase. Wightwick Manor and its grounds are always amazingly breathtaking but especially with its snow dusted coating.

David Bennett, View of the east wing of Wightwick Manor in the snow, copyright of the National Trust.

Patrick Vasey, The Holly Walk, copyright of the National Trust.

The following two images are also Christmas cards that I am using to decorate my bookcases. I purchased both of these whilst at University in the Barber Art Gallery, they both depict scenes from the Christmas story, and are images that can be seen in the gallery. 

 Jacopo Bassano, The Adoration of the Magi, c.1560. Oil on canvas. Image copyright of The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham. Barber Art Gallery website, Jacopo da Ponte called Bassano.

I especially love the magnificent emerald, Lapis Lazuli and rubellite jewel tones of the robes, juxtaposed with the earthy tones of the animals. The expressive facial features of the figures are mesmeric:  the serene devotion of Mary, the awed and beguiled foregrounded, emerald coloured robe wearing, wise man and the puckering of Christ's lips in anticipation of his mothers milk. I would urge you, if you can, to visit the Barber art gallery, as it is amazing when one can see it at its full size, and really appreciate the colours and the details of the image.

Domenico Tiepolo, Venetian (1727-1804), The Flight into Egypt, Etching, first impression made in 1753. Image copyright of The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham. 

There are other Tiepolo prints within the collection, including this one that depicts the same scene. The etching is stunning in its monochrome simplicity, with Tiepolo's incredible mastery of the medium and attention to detail. It's interesting the angle Tiepolo chose to depict the scene, with the figures and donkey  mainly with their back to us, Joseph and the donkey saddled down with heavy loads. The artist has chosen this angle to focus on the action of travelling, the position of the viewer, is so that we follow in the footsteps of the holy family, sharing their journey.

I adore fairy lights and Christmas is the perfect excuse!

Chocolate and scented candle, delicious flavours!

Clara Bow and a rotund red robin!

Not only was I making trinkets for my room, I also helped decorate the whole house, here's my sister decorating the tree.

To ensure I suited my surroundings I have been frequently wearing my hand knitted vintage Christmas jumper I bought off ebay, it was a complete bargain and a great quality!

I had been trying to get Seth to look at the camera, as you can see I was not successful!

A very productive Saturday afternoon was had by all, making paper chains and snowflakes.

With regards to culinary efforts, a return from uni bonding exercise occurred between Beth and I, mainly ensuring this gingerbread house didn't fall down, by drowning the foundation in icing sugar.

A few weeks a go, I went for a preemptive Christmas tipple (well more than one!) with friends in my gorgeous 1940's dress, Hobbs grey velvet jacket (velvet is one of my favourite fabrics for the winter, I saw an exhibition recently which included an red velvet suit worn by Oscar Wilde and was completely enamoured with it!) I love the silhouette of fourties dresses, they really  help to create or accentuate an hour glass shape.

 

1960s beaded evening bag, deceptively big, think Mary Poppin's carpet bag, although I haven't tried putting a full floor lamp and hat stand in it yet!

Finally got him to look at the camera, begrudgingly, what a scrooge!

Yours,

Evalily Harlow xxx